"My Name Is Not Alexander," by Jennifer Fosberry, illustrated by Mike Litwin, $16.99 (ages 4-8)
In a companion picture book to “My Name Is Not Isabella,” published in 2008, Jennifer Fosberry has furthered her “dare to dream” theme. The spunky Alexander declares his intentions to be someone else, someone famous.
Alexander skip-hops through his days with dreams of “I am Theodore...” and “I am Jackie..." and his father acquiesces to his personality shifts. Then he declares, “I am Daddy…” to pay tribute to “the greatest, coolest, father who ever was.”
At bedtime he finally relents to “I am Alexander, the coolest, bravest, smoothest, proudest, brightest, grandest, greatest boy that ever was... and dreamed about who he would be... tomorrow.”
Fosberry has augmented Alexander’s imaginary views of Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Edison, Chief Joseph, Fred Astaire and Jackie Robinson with supportive cameos and a glossary. Older children will readily understand Alexander’s wise choices of men who have added strength, peace, wisdom and beauty to our world.
Litwin’s unfussy stylized artwork complements the wanderings of a little boy’s imagination. Against varied backgrounds, this spiky-haired boy invents a complicated powered toothbrush, plays ball and becomes a rain cloud in a suburbian Indian village. While visiting his grandmother in a retirement center, he dances like Fred Astaire with her. Outside he greets Isabella and her mother, making a link to Fosberry’s first picture book.
While “I Am Not Alexander” will be enjoyed by young listeners, older readers will better understand the author’s selection of men from history that become Alexander’s dreams. Each supports Fosberry’s notion that “everybody is the best at something.”
If you go:
What: Book signings and storytime
When: March 19, 11 a.m.
Where: The King's English Bookshop, 1511 S. 1500 East, Salt Lake City
Website: www.kingsenglish.com
When: March 19, 1 p.m.
Where: Barnes & Noble, 1780 N. Woodland Park Drive, Layton
Website: www.bn.com
Marilou Sorenson is a retired University of Utah professor.
E-mail: marilousorensen@ymail.com